Week 2

Yeah for Payday!!!! So, today was the last day of week two at OVS which meant that it was PAYDAY!!!! If nothing else happened this week, that would have been enough, but let me catch you up on this last weeks happenings.

Saturday night was awesome at Emily's concert. If you missed it, you definitely missed out.

Sunday I had to work. We took the kids to Carp for the day which went really well. It's always a good day when we don't forget any kids at the beach (that actually happened last summer with the girl I might replace as assistant weekend coordinator).

Monday I had to work with Mason from 7:30-10:30. From there I went to OVS and stayed pretty late. Over the weekend Dillon had seen some of the counselors getting awfully cozy in the park so we decided it was time for a stake out to make sure the counselors were behaving themselves after hours. It was a very successful stake out and we ended up catching two counselors in the opposite sex dorms after hours. It was a fun, but very very late night.

Tuesday I had a lot of meetings at OVS. In the morning we had the dorm parent meeting that I usually go to, because I am admin and it looks good when I am there and finding out what has been happening in the dorms. The rest of the day at OVS was really long from the previous late night. That night we took the kids ice blocking down in Ventura which was pretty fun, but another fairly late night.

Wednesday I watched Mason in the morning. The whole week with Mason was pretty tough. He has been teething (again) and his sister has been around which makes it impossible to get him down for any sort of nap at all. Work was another long day. We did the Dutch Auction for our evening activity. Basically we let the kids run back to their rooms and grab as much stuff as they can in 5 mins and then we call out a bunch of random items and the first three teams to hold up the item gets points. It's super random, but super fun and the kids love it.

Thursday I watched Mason again but the Developmental specialist came over to evaluate him and see if he qualifies for the program (in case you didn't know, the little boy that I watch (Mason) has had a really really rough start. From Pylorics and major GI surgery at 24 days old, to strange disappearing water blisters on his head, to strange neurological reactions to the Whopping cough vaccine (major seizures) this guy is destined to be behind a little bit. His doctor is very concerned about him developmentally, but we have been working with him and it looks like this developmental specialist is going to come over once a week and help get him caught up too. He will probably need eye lid surgery and major evaluations of his sight, but he is doing alright. It's a pretty crazy deal and I would love to talk to anyone who is interested). So, work went well. We had a swim meet which meant I had to lifeguard, but no one drowned so I say it was a successful night.

Today was kinda a long day. I went over and hung out with Mason again, which was tough cause he was really fussy. Work was really really busy. We had the great race, along with all of the point totals, and preping for new campers tomorrow, and the talent show, and the social... it was a very long day; but hey, it was PAYDAY!!!

So this weekend will be nice. I have to work tomorrow for check in which might be really crazy (we are going to have some 50 new campers coming that are residents which will put us up to 80 kids in the dorms). I am also going to coffee with a very old friend from High School. We have some issues that we have to work out and I am not too sure I want to go, but I know I can't avoid it forever. I do have Sunday off though which will be really nice cause I get to go to church and see people that I haven't seen in awhile (get ready Amber, Ryan, Christine... and anyone else I left out).

Week 1

Week 1 at OVS is now officially over. It's been a super busy week but let me try and give you a taste of what went on.

Sunday: Last Community of the summer. We also had check in at OVS which was sort of crazy, but not too bad.

Monday: First day at OVS. This day was super crazy due to the construction going on all over campus and it being the first day of camp, but we managed to make it through the day.

Tuesday: Meetings and Interviews. Tuesday was our big planning/training day for our Hungary trip, but I really only got to stay for an hour because I had an interview with the Headmaster. I was really nervous for the interview and I think I bombed it, but I am trying not to think about it. I won't know if I got the job or not for awhile.

Wednesday: Mason and Work. Wednesday (for 7:30-10:30) I got to see Mason for the first time in about a week and a half. He has definitely grown a ton since I saw him. It was a little awkward at first cause he didn't really remember me at first, but he remembered by the end of the morning. From there I went to OVS for a long day of work (until about 9:30). It didn't help that I got a very upsetting letter which I will have to tell everyone in person about.

Thursday: More Mason and More Work. Thursday was very much like Wednesday. 7:30-10:30 Mason and 10:45-6:30 OVS. I did however get to go to the preview night for Kiss Me Kate. I definitely recommend that everyone go see this play. A few of my friends are in it as well as their parents which always makes it fun. I guess the leading Lady played the same role on Broadway for awhile, so she kinda knows what she is doing. Bottem Line check out the link and go see it.

Friday: Even More Mason and Even More Work. Again, very similar to the previous two days I did get to put Mason down for a nap which is always fun. Work went well, Fridays are always long day. I think I went into work at 10:45 and got off at 10:00pm. 11 hour days are really not my thing, but I don't mind it that much.

Future Plans: Not too much today. Emily's concert tonight. I have to work tomorrow which I am not really looking forward to. It's gonna be a long day at the beach but if anyone wants to join me, you are more then welcome to. We are leaving for Carp around 11 and are supposed to be back at OVS around 5. I will have my cell.

So that was my week. Next week will probably be just as long, but I love it.

Full House

Wow, it's been almost a week since I updated my blog and honestly I think it has been almost a week since I have even gotten on my laptop. I have been so busy between OVS and my family and graduations that I haven't had time or energy to even pick up my laptop and check my email (although it always sucks getting on your computer after a week and finding out that you have 0 email... thanks guys I feel real special). Anyway, OVS training began this week (again that is for my summer camp job that I have had for the last 3 years). Training wouldn't be too bad if I wasn't one of the ones doing the training. All week has been super busy prepping for the staff (they came in on Tuesday) and the kids (they come in tomorrow); between copies, schedules, planning training games (we played Zip, Zap, Zoom and Do You Love Your Neighbor again), redoing schedules for complainers, and even more copies... work has been pretty stressful.

Lets not even get started on everything else that's been going on (and when I say "Let's not" I mean here I go starting to talk about it). My mom's family came up on Wednesday (and when I say my mom's family I mean mi abuela, mis tias, mis tios, y mis primos (grandma, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, 3 cousins and a partridge in a pear tree for all of you non-spanish speakers)). Positives = lots and lots of mexican food (enchiladas, frijoles, aroz... enchiladas, beans, and rice). Negatives = a super busy house with no room to park (there are about 8 cars in my driveway at this very moment and time). But it's not all that bad. Between the nagging and the arguing, I love my mom's family. It keeps me in touch with my Mexican roots (sometimes I feel like I am very white-wash). Last night after graduation, mi abuelita went off about how back when my mom and her sisters graduated, graduation was a proper ceremony full of respect for teachers and principles (this whole rant was in Spanish by the way because she never learned English; she actually never had any schooling at all... not even elementary school). So she was absolutely appalled by all of the balls and toys (that monkey) that were being thrown around during graduation (basically everything Jan did, she thought was disrespectful). I remember in my graduation, people were throwing tortillas around. We tried to explain to her that we are all just trying to have a good time. It's a long ceremony and we have to stay entertained somehow. She wouldn't hear it. But it was a fun convo (especially since my friend Stephanie was there totally confused about what we were talking about and me trying to translate it all for her; great fun).

So graduations were fun. I feel really old. I remember my sister going to preschool with me and now she is a high school graduate. It won't be long before Janae is graduating (and so will I). tonight we are having a party and anyone is welcome to come over and enjoy tacos and all around good food. I just hope I can make it that long. I still have to go into work this morning to get stuff done before check-in and I am hoping I can find time to get my haircut, but we shall see.

My Exciting Weekend

Wow, I can't believe it is Sunday already! This weekend went by really fast. Friday night was quite a late night. I tried to take a nap before broomball, but it really didn't work out. Broomball was super fun despite the time. We had a really small turnout which was odd, but it made the night really really fun. It was nice to mess around with a smaller amount of kids rather then to police a huge bundle of them. We ended up playing students against the adults (the kids won 6-5 but it was a close game the whole time; we didn't do too bad for only having 7 adults against around 20 kids). Unfortunately we got on the ice late so we didn't get home until 12:00am (meaning I didn't get home until around 12:30am when all of the kids got picked up.

Normally staying up that late wouldn't be that big of a deal for me accept I had to go to a camp conference the very next day. To avoid waking up extra early and actually having to do my hair, I took a shower before I went to bed (12:30am). So I got around 5 hours of sleep before the conference. The conference was cool (down at Northridge which put me in familiar territory). A lot of the info was very helpful and I am glad I went. I made sure I went to bed early last night so now I am wide awake and ready for a long, busy week. I just can't believe that this weekend is gone already! Today is Sunday and there is lots to do. Just in time for a very busy week at OVS (BTW; just a quick verification, this job at OVS is not the job I was interviewed for. This is just a summer job that I have had for the last two years. The other job is for the school year and I haven't heard anything back yet. Hallmounsy (the Headmaster) usually likes to take some time off between the school year ending and summer camp beginning so he probably won't be back in the office for another week. But I will let you know what happens).

My Calendar

This morning I woke up early to take Janae to school. When I got into the house I was informed that I didn't have to take Janae to school after all. That's alright though, because it gave me a chance to open my calendar and see how crazy my life is going to be starting pretty much today. The following week looks something like this:

Today:

• 8:30am-4:30pm Work with Mason
• 5:00ish Hopefully get coffee with Katie
• 6:00pm-9:00pm Aces

Tomorrow:

• 8:30am-4:30pm Work with Mason
• 9:30pm Broomball

Saturday:

• 7:00am-4:00pm Camp conference at CSUN

Sunday:

• 8:30am-12:00pm COMMUNItY
• maybe lunch with Friends???
• Baccalaureate
  

Monday:

• Prep at OVS for a long week of training

Tuesday-Friday:

• 8:00am-6:00pm OVS training
• Thursday Jr High Graduation
• Friday High School Graduation
• Friday Sarah's graduation party
  

Saturday:

• Prep for Opening Day

Sunday:

• Opening Day; Dorm kids check-in; Prep for first day of camp

So, that's what my schedule looks like. It looks kinda busy, but I'm sure I will find room to swim and breathe here and there. I guess I am just stressing about all of the stuff I have to get done before training begins; i.e. Afternoon Activities Schedule, Afternoon Activities presentation, Afternoon Activities rotations, Set up my (I share it with Dillon Kennyon) office, Help Dillon and El get training materials organized, and try and keep my OCD under control while organizing certain things around the camp (BTW, this all has to be done on Monday and Tuesday). All in all, I have a lot to do, but I know "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Jury Duty

That's right... today I had jury duty. It was the most boring thing I had ever experienced. However I did get a good deal of reading done. I look forward to writing a brief summary of the book for you all (it probably won't be very brief, that's why I haven't gotten around to it yet). Other then a long day at Jury Duty, this week has started out alright. Monday I had to go into work early which made a long day. However it got better when I took Mason to Sage's birthday party. It was super cute to see all of the kids there having fun and just being kids. After a long day at work I got to cool off in the OVS pool (oh the advantages of being a lifeguard and working there). We still don't have TV which is getting rather old. There are only so many Johnny Depp movies I can watch before I begin to go crazy (Finding Neverland, Pirates of the Caribbean 1, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chocolat...). I have resorted to going to bed early the last few nights because there is nothing to do. My body really didn't like all that added sleep cause I am super tired. Oh well... what can ya do?

Unplugged

It's amazing how much we depend on media to keep us occupied. This morning I woke up and went to fold clothes and watch some TV before I started to get ready for church. I turned the TV on and it said "this channel has not been purchased..." and had a button that said click for more info. So I looked to see what the problem was and I really didn't get a lot of info. My dad checked it out and it turns out we turned our payment in a couple days late so they cut us off from civilization. As I got ready for church, I really didn't miss the TV. To be honest I really haven't missed it all day. Between Chad cutting my Mom's hair and going on a walk with my sister (and Toby), I really didn't have time to worry about the TV. However, now that I am home from my meeting and have a few hours before I go to bed, I don't know what to do with my time. It's crazy how much I find myself depending on this little box with a glass picture on the front to keep me from going absolutely crazy.

I don't know. It's been awhile since I last posted anything and this was what was on my mind. Things are going well. I still don't know what is going on with my job. Nothing is official, but I have heard good gossip. I will let you know what happens. But things have been going well. I had a really rough week with Mason. I think he is teething (again! He still doesn't have any teeth, but he will go through these teething-esk fits of inconsolable crying that can't be cured with much of anything). We'll see how this week goes. I am taking him to Sage's birthday party tomorrow which should be interesting, but fun. I can't wait. This will be my last normal week with Mason for awhile. After this week, OVS training begins and then it's right into our 6 week camp. It's gonna be great and I can't wait.